Stones and Their Analogues for Civil and Energy Engineering
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
Undefined
Expected learning outcomes
Undefined
Lesson period: First semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The stone industry: ornamental and dimension stones.
Marbles, granites, stones - definitions. Overview of commercial varieties. Deposit characteristics and criteria for evaluating material quality. Quarrying technologies and the production cycle in quarries. Stone processing: from block to semi-finished products, slabs, and standard finished goods. Technologies for special processing. Advanced aspects of characterization and treatment of ornamental and construction stones. Applications and uses: cladding systems, indoor and outdoor flooring, urban furnishings. Ancient marbles, collections, history, and quarrying sites.
Physical and technical properties of stone materials and ceramic analogues. Standards and certifications.
Designing a ceramic or cementitious material: Phase diagrams. Volatility diagrams. Phase relationships and materials in the Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system (properties and uses of pyrophyllite, andalusite, kaolins, and mullite- and alumina-based ceramics); the MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system (steatites, cordierites, forsterites, aluminas, spinels - phase associations); phase relationships and materials in the CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ diagram; air-setting and hydraulic binders; aggregates for concrete. Non-oxide systems. Glasses. Overview of ceramic technology, forming processes, sintering, and machining.
Materials for the energy industry: fuel cells.
Quantitative textural analysis of stone materials and analogues, and relationships with physical properties: Principles governing textural arrangement.
Marbles, granites, stones - definitions. Overview of commercial varieties. Deposit characteristics and criteria for evaluating material quality. Quarrying technologies and the production cycle in quarries. Stone processing: from block to semi-finished products, slabs, and standard finished goods. Technologies for special processing. Advanced aspects of characterization and treatment of ornamental and construction stones. Applications and uses: cladding systems, indoor and outdoor flooring, urban furnishings. Ancient marbles, collections, history, and quarrying sites.
Physical and technical properties of stone materials and ceramic analogues. Standards and certifications.
Designing a ceramic or cementitious material: Phase diagrams. Volatility diagrams. Phase relationships and materials in the Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system (properties and uses of pyrophyllite, andalusite, kaolins, and mullite- and alumina-based ceramics); the MgO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ system (steatites, cordierites, forsterites, aluminas, spinels - phase associations); phase relationships and materials in the CaO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ diagram; air-setting and hydraulic binders; aggregates for concrete. Non-oxide systems. Glasses. Overview of ceramic technology, forming processes, sintering, and machining.
Materials for the energy industry: fuel cells.
Quantitative textural analysis of stone materials and analogues, and relationships with physical properties: Principles governing textural arrangement.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of petrography, mineralogy, and the chemistry and physics of materials. Familiarity with analytical techniques used for the characterization of natural and artificial materials is recommended.
Teaching methods
Lectures supported by multimedia presentations, combined with practical laboratory sessions on natural samples and artificial materials. Activities include experimental data analysis using dedicated software and guided discussions based on recent case studies from the scientific literature.
Innovative component: use of 3D digital models and augmented reality for structural and textural observation of materials, along with short team-based projects aimed at developing original applications in the field of geological and synthetic materials.
Innovative component: use of 3D digital models and augmented reality for structural and textural observation of materials, along with short team-based projects aimed at developing original applications in the field of geological and synthetic materials.
Teaching Resources
Piero Primavori (1999) Pianeta Pietra - Zusi Editore
C.B. Carter e M.G. Norton (2013) Ceramic Materials. Science and Engineering. Springer-Verlag
C.B. Carter e M.G. Norton (2013) Ceramic Materials. Science and Engineering. Springer-Verlag
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a final oral assessment aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of:
- the theoretical and applied topics covered during the course
- an in-depth topic analyzed through monographs and bibliographic material.
- the theoretical and applied topics covered during the course
- an in-depth topic analyzed through monographs and bibliographic material.
GEO/07 - PETROLOGY AND PETROGRAPHY - University credits: 6
Field activity: 12 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professors:
Poli Stefano, Tumiati Simone
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday, 12.30 - 13.30
Via Botticelli 23, Milano